Looking forward to the next Hard Assets Investment Conference? We had a chance to sit down with Jonathan Moore, the show organizer.
Many seeking the right metals investments turn to the Hard Assets Investment Conference in New York each year, and 2010 was no exception. Held May 10 and 11 at the New York Marriot, thousands made their way through the show, the educational workshops, and the company presentations. Many listened carefully as keynote speaker Jim Dines helped put things in context of the global market for potential investors, and throughout the two days, hundreds attended panel sessions by experts to better understand the ever changing market and how metal fits in.
Over the course of each day, Jonathan Moore watched the progress of the show unfold carefully. As senior vice president and managing director of events for International Investment Conferences, understanding what works and what doesn’t in each show is essential to creating a solid profile for the next one. As much an event guru as he is an educator, Moore also runs resourceinvestor.com, a news site for investing professionals and novices alike.
Learning a bit more about the programming, what Moore looks for in a speaker, and the kinds of events International Investment Conferences creates each year is key for both new and seasoned investors, particularly in today’s tumultuous environment.
International Investment Conferences – A Look Inside
It takes quite a bit of research to put together something as large as the New York Hard Assets Investment Conference. Coming up with keynote speakers is only the first challenge for Moore and his team. “Keynote presentations are reserved for folks that have been around and have great reputations,” said Moore. This year, Moore’s team managed to land Jim Dines, author of The Dines Letter. Perhaps best known for his continual predications that went against the investing community yet, have remained historically accurate, Dines delivered an excellent speech that helped investors of all types understand a bit more about the recent price jump in gold and how it fits into the bigger picture. “He’s been a frequent speaker of ours,” said Moore. Quite pleased to be able to feature him in New York, Moore went on to say that he’d probably appear on the list of speakers at the November conference in San Francisco.
Keynote speakers, though, hardly make up the entire bill. Expert viewpoints are important to Moore and conference attendees alike. “Our expert viewpoints feature newsletter authors and other experts that are putting out quality research and ideas.” Even it that category, Moore managed to hit a home run. With a lineup that included Paul Burton, Eric Coffin, David Coffin, and Brent Cook, attendees had a chance to learn where the market is going from some of the best minds in the industry.
The company presentations are the other real attraction for many at any Hard Assets Investment Conference. “One of the great hallmarks of the show is the company presentations. We have companies that are out there actively seeking investors and this event provides them with a unique platform. The presentations are also a great opportunity for our attendees to hear the stories behind the companies represented in our exhibit hall, and those presentations run throughout the course of the show,” said Moore. This year’s company exhibitors included Avion Gold, Fortuna Silver Mines, Rio Novo Gold, and Virginia Mines among many others.
Looking Forward
As enjoyable as the New York Conference was, though, many investors are looking forward to San Francisco, and here, Moore has promised not to disappoint.
“The dates of the conference are the 21st and 22nd at the San Francisco Marriott. We’re in the process of putting together the content for the program,” said Moore, “so I can’t talk too much about who the speakers are, but it will be very similar in concept to what we do here.”
Perhaps the real pull for many, though, is the Canadian presence at that show. Because it’s so close to Vancouver, many of the mining companies based out of the area appear, an important bonus for attendees.
As with their other conferences, there will be a series of workshops that will be educationally focused as well as company presentations throughout both days.
Moore and his team were pleased with the success of the NY conference, and they look forward to putting on another great show in November.
“From the perspective of the show here in New York, we’re very pleased,” said Moore. “Obviously we’re the beneficiaries of a great market right now. The quality of the audience here in New York has been fantastic. We’ve been very proud of the dialog that’s been going on between the investors at the show and our exhibitors and sponsors, and that’s what the whole show is about. We bring together those with the investment capital and give them not only education about what’s happening in the market, but specific opportunities, and that’s what makes the whole thing work.”
Indeed, based on the excitement generated from New York, this show more than “works” for conference attendees.